Having now convinced myself that a FL2 will eventually return reasonable (for its size etc) fuel consumption, what spec should I go for. I am looking at 2011 Dec Delivery HSE SD with Xenon, Side Protectors ad full size spare (I seem to attract punctures). Am I missing anything from the goodies list I should have - or is HSE "overloaded". btw the fuel consumption topic was a great help - thanks to all that contributed.

The specification that you want completely depends on you and your own needs.

For instance, the spare wheel is a great option if you are going to off-road it, or drawer a trailer, but very little use if you won't change a wheel and/or need the extra space in the boot and/or are prepared to accept the many limitations of tyre goo.

The HSE spec is great if you like all the toys, but the least effective option (with its road biased 18" wheels and pretty, but delicate, painted sills and bumper lowers) if you are planning on having fun off-road.

The only thing I would add is to consider how crude the factory sat nav is before parting with any additional cash for it. A £250 TomTom is far superior!

Perhaps if you tell us what your plans for it are, we could help a little more.

Tigger.

Last edited by Tigger on 14th Jul 2011 9:16 pm. Edited 3 times in total

Privacy glass, and black paint , and get the dealer to wrap the chrome arse piece in film or spray paint it to disguise it (ghastly thing ) At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

chicken george wrote:

Privacy glass, and black paint , and get the dealer to wrap the chrome arse piece in film or spray paint it to disguise it (ghastly thing )

You forgot the "must-have" option - tow bar!!!

Natwest wrote:

chicken george wrote:

Privacy glass, and black paint , and get the dealer to wrap the chrome arse piece in film or spray paint it to disguise it (ghastly thing )

You forgot the "must-have" option - tow bar!!!

Sorry, typo "must-not-have" option

Best spec (IMO) compromise of price and equipment (if buying new) would probably be TD4 Auto XS

So, there's just a small chance that he'll come on here asking what's right for him, only to find out what's right for other people then?

Last edited by Tigger on 14th Jul 2011 9:17 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Must admit the wheel size of the HSE is a pain in the
The 17 inch wheel is a much more sensible option as the 65 trye wall prevents damage to the wheel on most 'kerbing' incidents as several owners of HSE's have discovered much to thier dismay.

I'd also go for the auto 'box despite it's thirst for fuel. The man box is prone to Dual Mass Flywheel problems, there are several owners on this forum alone who've had them replaced. Okay i suppose if it's under warrenty but not good enough in my opinion.
Hope this helps. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

chicken george wrote:

Privacy glass, and black paint , and get the dealer to wrap the chrome arse piece in film or spray paint it to disguise it (ghastly thing )

I don't think the OP is looking for a van Black with Privacy

Things I would defo order:

Sat nav, for convience its always there no mess ing around
Heated front screen
Heated seats
Armrests
Privacy glass
Spare is a must, it's a 4x4 after all
And defo and SD4 as it's alll about POWER!!!

landy19840 wrote:

Things I would defo order:

Sat nav, for convience its always there no mess ing around
Heated front screen
Heated seats
Armrests
Privacy glass
Spare is a must, it's a 4x4 after all
And defo and SD4 as it's alll about POWER!!!

If you are out in the sticks Bi-Xenons should be on that list.

As you can see it's very individual. I have an SD4 HSE and love it. The extra power is noticeable and the Auto is great, the 18 inch wheels are fine - unless you are a crap parker. SAT NAV is only nice to have ,TOM TOM is better.

If you are really going off road get a GS with small wheels and a good hosepipe.

Tom Tom are crap!! Worst sat nav ever!! Someone once said to me sat navs are for the navigationally retarded!

landy19840 wrote:

Things I would defo order:

Sat nav, for convience its always there no mess ing around
Heated front screen
Heated seats
Armrests
Privacy glass
Spare is a must, it's a 4x4 after all
And defo and SD4 as it's alll about POWER!!!

landy19840 wrote:

Tom Tom are crap!! Worst sat nav ever!! Someone once said to me sat navs are for the navigationally retarded!

You are going for a similar spec to what I did. SD4 HSE with xenons and full size spare. Definately go for privacy glass - finiahes the FL2 a treat, side protection I would personally avoid, dependant upon what colour you go for I think they spoil the look. I opted for bigger 19" rims and really glad I did as they actually give a smoother ride than my previous FL2's 18" rims - plus they look wicked  Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

landy19840 wrote:

Tom Tom are crap!! Worst sat nav ever!! Someone once said to me sat navs are for the navigationally retarded!

I have to take issue with that.

Since 2002 I have had two OEM sat navs, one aftermarket fitted sat nav and a TomTom 700, 900, 910, 920, 940 and now a 1050. I drive around 40,000 miles a year and (despite the fact that I love reading maps - particularly OS maps and have a brilliant sense of direction) use a satnav around 80% of the time.

Compared to the TomTom 1050, the standard system in my Freelander is very basic and clunky. The advantages that I have noticed so far are:

1. Updating involves an instant update online, rather than a very expensive replacement DVD,
2. I get accurate and up to date speed camera warnings, along with a virtually continuous readout of the current speed limit and a completely accurate GPS based speedo.
3. It gives me much more accurate and detailed traffic information.
4. The TomTom is much more customisable.
5. I don't have to take my eyes of the road to use it.
6. I can take it into my house / hotel / pub / holiday venue to program it alongside my computer and / or maps in comfort, rather than have to go and sit out in the car to do it.
7. I can take it out of the car with me and find my way around strange towns and even find my way straight back to the car without having to retrace my steps.
8. I can access Goggle on the TomTom and search for whatever I want, where ever I am.
9. Sat Navs become obsolete very quickly. As a new and significantly improved TomTom comes out, I simply pass my old one on to a member of my family and get the next one. When the system fitted to the Freelander becomes obsolete, I'm stuck with it.
10. When I get into a loan car, or a colleague's car, I can take it with me.
11. It gives me much clearer instruction at motorway intersections.



12. A top-of-the-range TomTom is around £250. The system in the Land Rover is 6 times that price


One word of warning, with the honourable exception of the TomTom 920, the sound quality of the Bluetooth handsfree telephone facility on the TomToms is shockingly bad!